Redondo Beach Doctor Illegally Possessed $2M Worth of Diet Pills, Prosecutors Say

A Redondo Beach doctor already charged in two drug cases was arrested today on charges that he illegally possessed an estimated $2 million in diet pills and other prescription drugs that were found in a Long Beach storage facility.

Dr. Gerard Geoffrey Goryl -- who had been barred from possessing narcotics as a result of the two previous pending cases -- is now charged with 18 felony drug-related counts in a third case.

The neurologist pleaded not guilty to the latest charges, which include eight counts of possession of narcotics with a restricted license and 10 counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.

Goryl, 59, was taken into custody after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Redondo Beach Police Department determined that he had a storage locker containing an estimated 500,000 diet pills and other prescription drugs, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Goryl was ordered to remain in jail in lieu of $1 million bail in connection with the latest case. He had been free on $1 million bond and $120,000 bond in the other two cases against him.

Goryl, who ran a medical clinic called A Better Weigh on Artesia Boulevard, was first arrested in June and charged with nine felony counts involving allegations that he sold prescription drugs to undercover officers.

He was re-arrested in August and charged with eight felony counts alleging that he was continuing to sell a prescription diet pill despite being barred from doing so.

A date is scheduled to be set Nov. 17 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

If convicted in all three cases, he faces up to 36 years and eight months behind bars, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy Redondo Beach Police Department.

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